13 replies to this topic

[Paul M]

I suppose I have been rather fortunate, I bought a box containing a P.51 FP, 2 x P.51 Clutch pencils, and a P.51 BP in auction yesterday for the grand sum of £55. Seemed a good deal to me. There were also a few bits and bobs in the bottom of the box.




When I got home and took a good look these bits and bobs included a AA Waterman with a gold plated (?) overlay and a Lebeouf size 8.(not common finds in the UK, and I have never seen one before). I am eager to return this to working order, it being the sleeve filler version. After 70+ years the section is proving difficult to shift;

so before applying any more muscle I thought i would ask if anyone knows if this is friction fit or screw fit?

[Rick Krantz]

friction fit, likely with a banded metal section. do be careful. If in doubt, send it to a professional!

depending on color and condition, it could be a pricey pen

Rick

[Paul M]

Thank you Rick.

[IPD_Mr.]

I have done several Lebeouf recently and on the first one I was the same way and very worried about cracking the body. All the worry was for naught as the body is metal with the celluloid over the metal tube. You do want to loosen any grime before trying to muscle off the section. For stubborn ones, slide the sleeve back and off of the body. You can remove the pressure bar and sac from the distal end of the pen. Once all of that is out of the way, you can soak the pen a little easier and not worry about what the inside is doing. The section is a friction fit, so a little heat should help as well. These are really very sturdy pens and one of my favorite to work on. Here are a couple I have done recently:

[Paul M]

Thanks for the photo's, the grey one is stunning.

I promise to post a pic of mine one once work has been completed.






Re: friction fit, likely with a banded metal section. do be careful. If in doubt, send it to a professional!




This genuinely interests me, what constitutes a professional?


If it is the 'concrete' some one who makes a living out of pen restoration then that will discount many very competent restorers.


If it is those who have the necessary competence / experience, then how is that to be achieved without attempting such work

if it is down to self assessment, then Firebreakline is up there with the best

whilst if down to how others assess the work, then those who restore only for themselves could be devalued.




Probably not a discussion for this forum, but I do often wonder just what is meant by this phrase.

Edited by Paul M, 29 May 2013 - 05:43 PM.

[david i]

Thanks for the photo's, the grey one is stunning.

I promise to post a pic of mine one once work has been completed.






Re: friction fit, likely with a banded metal section. do be careful. If in doubt, send it to a professional!




This genuinely interests me, what constitutes a professional?

SNIP

Probably not a discussion for this forum, but I do often wonder just what is meant by this phrase.

Hi,

I'd offer the thought that this is a perfect discussion for this forum, though if it takes on a life of its own, we can consider splitting the discussion (it can be done) and place the "restorer" portion in either "restoration" or "elements of collecting".

Knock yourselves out. This is a nontrivial subject, and it can impact many collectors. A worthwhile subject to explore...

regards

david

[david i]

One of 2.5 big ones in my own collection.

regards

david

[david i]

Shot this gem years ago. I don't own it.

regards

david

[Rick Krantz]

nice box.

I was going to ask what constitutes a 2.5 pen collection

then I thought, wait... I got 1.5 Lebeoufs, so I know the answer.

I'll try to post up tonight or tomorrow what a 1.5 lebeouf looks like....

I would offer that a professional in this hobby, is anyone that for a vocation, takes pens in for repair, has the tools or equipment to deal with the various items one encounters during pen repair, and can successfully repair said pens. They have also in their "toolbox" a resonable amount of experience and expertise in dealing with vintage pen repair.

It is as David said, a perfect question for this forum.

[Widget]

I have used 'professional' restorers and I have bought restored pens from Paul Martin. If I wanted 1 of my 'prize' CS's restored my choice would be Paul Martin every time based on the quality of the pens I have purchased from him and the lengths he will go to to ensure your satisfaction,

[Inkysloth]

For me, a professional is someone willing to take the risk of breaking someone else's pen!

[Paul M]

Well thank you Widget!

I have absolutely no idea who widget is, but if someone is happy with a pen I have sent then that pleases me.

I would not consider myself a professional restorer by any definition. It is a hobby, I have competence in a number of areas, but there are pens I have yet to tackle (Ford as a UK example, Nozac one of probably several US types). Heck, I still work plenty too many hours a week helping to run a pretty unique and complex outfit ( as anyone of the many pen collectors who have visited will I am sure testify). So I doubt i will ever be able to claim professional or master status.

For me, a professional is someone willing to take the risk of breaking someone else's pen!

Probably plenty are willing to do that, the real test is are they willing to deal with the consequences ;-)

[Paul M]

As promised I am attached a couple of pictures of the Leboeuf I picked up.

Having had the opportunity to dismantle it and return it to a 'writing condition' I am of the view it is probably not good enough for anything other than a donor pen, The cap barely locks on to the barrel threads and I have noted a blemish on the bottom part. So interesting pen, nice large nib, but not a keeper.

[Rocco P]

Nice pens, the two grey ones are stunning.